The FCEA's Chairman welcomed the Leaders and the Foundation's patrons to analyse business relations between Spain and Australia and the current economic and political situation
The Chairman of Navantia and of the Spain Australia Council Foundation, José Manuel Revuelta, welcomed the Australian Leaders, together with some FCEA Board members, to a lunch meeting which was also attended by the Ambassador of Australia to Spain, Virginia Greville.
Mr Revuelta summarised Navantia's activity in Australia, whose Army is already one of its main clients. The company has already built over 15 ships, including the Adelaide and Canberra helicopter landing ships, and is currently working on other projects: logistics support vessels, support and supply contracts and feasibility studies. Navantia's intense activity in Australia has led the company to open offices in the country's main cities, most recently in Canberra.
The international outlook and Spanish-Australian relations were also discussed later in the meeting. Brexit was considered to be a highly relevant issue by the two countries given the opportunities for Spain stemming from the fact that countries like Australia will be looking for an alternative to the UK as a strategic partner to access the EU market.
The journalists that make up the group of Leaders were particularly interested in hearing about the advantages and obstacles encountered by Spanish companies when investing in Australia. Despite stumbling blocks such as labour costs and the excessive amount of procedures and reports required, Spanish companies agree that Australia is very open to foreign companies, that it values skill over nationality and that it makes it easier for companies to enter its market than other countries do, including English-speaking ones.
The fact that English is the official language in Australia, unlike other countries in Asia, and its position as a gateway to the Pacific and New Zealand markets were also deemed positive factors by the patrons.
Many of the stereotypes about Spain were discussed during the lunch, and the need for initiatives such as the Leaders Programme to encourage better knowledge of the country became apparent. It was concluded at the meeting that certain factors, such as the leadership of Spanish companies in sectors like high-speed rail, air traffic control and renewable energy, speak for themselves, and that it is important for international experts to come and see what Spain is really like.
As well as José Manuel Revuelta, Navantia was also represented by its Head of Business, Gonzalo Mateo, and Navantia Australia executives Francisco Barón and Warren King. The lunch was also attended by Director General of North America and Asia-Pacific Affairs Fidel Sendagorta and Sub-director General of International Economic Relations Álvaro Rodríguez on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. María Aparici, Secretary General of Trade Policy with Europe and Asia-Pacific represented the Ministry of Economy and Trade.
The Foundation's Board was represented by Joaquín Mollinedo, Head of Institutional Relations at ACCIONA; Ramón María Moreno, Director General of Casa Asia; Íñigo de Palacio, Head of Institutional Relations at Indra and Eduardo Sánchez Moreno, Head of Analysis and Strategy at Instituto Cervantes.
Australian Leaders Programme: Activity summary
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